25/02/07 Loveclough - Clowbridge res 13:00 - 16:30hrs approx
Pad Lodge (ref. 809276) 1 m Goosander, 1 G. Heron + c20 Canada geese in fields.
Great Clough (ref. 805277) 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker (calling),c100 mostly Starlings feeding with c20 Fieldfares, only an odd Redwing.
Grt. Hameldon Hill c6 Skylarks 4 in song, 7 Goosanders on the res. nearby (ref.788286), c30 Golden Plovers on the boulder field with what was definatley a grouse which flew off low and rapid without calling. As if to quell any doubts I might have had I found two piles of very fresh droppings on the moor close by. This is the first time in twenty years or so that I've seen any sign of grouse on this hill range. Any comments? 1 M. Pipit, 20 Snipe flushed.
Hameldon Hill 11 Lapwings, 49 Snipe flushed.
Nutshaw Hill 5 Snipe flushed.
Clowbridge c8 House Sparrow,c8 Goldfinch,Chaffinch in song and c200 Starlings feeding all at the rear of Cotton Row. On the res. were 4 G.C.Grebe and 3pr. Goldeneye with 5 Lapwings in the fields and a Woodcock in the wood. No sign of any Stonechats though.
In addition a Curlew was over the res. and a Kingfisher was in the outflow at Clowbridge res. on the 23rd.
